Max Branning’s EastEnders exit takes a shocking turn as he prepares to leave Walford with company

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EastEnders viewers are sure they’ve guessed Max Branning’s return storyline, which may feature his ex, Stacey Slater.

It’s the comeback every EastEnders fan has been eagerly waiting for, and Max Branning’s dramatic return to Walford didn’t disappoint.

The fan-favourite, played by Jake Wood, made a surprise appearance at the Queen Vic during his daughter Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) wedding to her new husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law) in Tuesday’s (September 30) episode.

Max made his entrance at just the right moment, snatching Lauren’s bouquet and cheekily declaring: “Must be my lucky day!”

His sudden appearance left the room stunned—former lover Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) visibly shaken, while Lauren was left frozen in shock.

Although Max’s return was confirmed earlier this year, the exact reason for him coming back to Walford remains unclear, according to OK! magazine.

There’s speculation he could be pursuing his former partner Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) following their explosive clash during their last encounter. Meanwhile, two of his children, Lauren and Oscar (Pierre Moullier), still live on the Square, despite having been estranged from their father for years.

Fans have been eagerly theorising about Max’s storyline, with many predicting his visit will be short-lived and that he may leave again—potentially taking a particular Walford resident with him.

“From next week’s spoilers, it seems Max is only back for a brief stint, which suggests he might leave the Square with Stacey on Thursday night and return solo later in the year. Unless the spoilers for next week are under embargo #EastEnders,” one viewer wrote on X.

Stacey has been struggling with the decision of whether to fly out to Brazil to join her brother Sean Slater and help run his new restaurant. Yet, she’s been torn by guilt over leaving her family behind.

Some fans doubt Max would be keen to head to Brazil with Stacey, especially given his fraught history with her brother Sean, who previously dated Max’s ex-wife Tanya Turner (Jo Joyner).

“Honestly, I can’t see him actually going with Stacey if she’s heading to Brazil to work with Sean—Sean has always hated Max, and Max is basically a stranger to Hope and Arthur,” one viewer remarked.

Could Max’s return, however, actually be the reason Stacey decides to leave?

One fan speculated: “Stacey’s main motivation for going might just be Max coming back #EastEnders.”